Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Back in November, we adopted a Marine through
Soldiers' Angels. SA is a fantastic organization that helps deployed service members, wounded warriors, veterans and families. There are lots of different ways to get involved. Some don't take much money, just a little time to write a letter and a stamp to mail it!

I've mentioned this before, but I joined SA after watching a web show on SOFREP called INSIDE THE TEAM ROOM featuring
three former Navy SEALs including Chris Kyle, who inspired me to do more than just say
"Thanks for your service" when I saw a uniformed service member or met a
veteran.

I sent off our first letter, introducing our family to him, then went about
making a care package. A Christmas care package due to the date and
mailing time to the Middle East. Delivery times slow way down to the volume being sent.

Many times, you never hear from your
adoptee. You're told when you sign up not to expect a response. Who can blame the service members for not being in touch. They
are busy over there, working long hours, often seven days a week. But
you keep writing your letters and sending your care packages to show your support and gratitude for what they're doing and hope what you're sending is things your "silent soldier" wants or needs.

Sometimes you get an adoptee who has access to a computer or likes to write letters. Those letters are called "free mail" because the service members aren't required to use a stamp. They write "Free" where the stamp would go. When you receive an email or letter, you feel oh-so-blessed to have heard back.

I wasn't expecting to hear back from our adoptee. But we received an email from our adoptee the day his letter arrived. Talk about a wonderful surprise. He sounded so nice and excited to hear from us. Since then, we have been
in almost daily contact (depending on his workload and what he's doing). It's
been an awesome experience for the entire family.

We love him so much. He calls us his
"beautiful family" and he is a big part of it now!

Well it's his birthday!

His cake arrived in time, but his other birthday boxes didn't so this
will be a prolonged celebration. (So glad I thought to stick a couple
boxes of Little Debbie snack cakes in the party box!)

I thought it would be nice to collect birthday
greetings in the comment section and email them to our favorite Devil Dog. I'll also give him a link to the comment section.

If you'd like to leave our Marine a birthday
greeting, please post a comment and I'll send it his way.

A very happy Birthday to you from the mountains of North Georgia. My father served in the Army during WW2 and my brother drove a tank for the Army in Vietnam. "Thank You" is a small phrase that doesn't begin to express how much I appreciate your service. I pray God watch over you and keep you and your company safe.

Our eldest son is a former Marine. He served two tours in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. His best advice: "Stay positive and centered. Don't get involved in politics. Keep in contact with friends and family to remember what home is like and know you will get there soon. Finally, remember your Marine buddies are the only ones who can ever understand your situation, your mission, your challenges and triumphs. So, stay close to them both now and when you return home. They will be friends forever.”

My prayers are with you and your unit that you all return home safe and healthy. Happy Birthday!